Limb supporting device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for supporting the hand or foot during convalescence thereof including a frame comprising two substantially parallel rods, a frame supporting member comprising rods extending in angular relation from said frame for contact with a supporting surface to thereby maintain said frame in spaced relation from said supporting surface, a holding rod connected to one end of said frame for extension through the forelimb of the patient, a plurality of substantially parallel extending bars connected to said frame adjacent the end thereof opposite said holding rod and extending from said frame in substantial angular relationship thereto, and a supporting member attached to said frame intermediate the ends thereof, said supporting member having a generally rounded upper surface for fitting into the palm of and supporting a hand or foot.

nited States Patent @wens [54] LIMB SUPPORTING DEVICE [72] Inventor:Troy R. Owens, P. O. Box 493, Hitchcock,

Tex. 77401 [22] Filed: Nov. 28, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 880,637

OTHER PUBLICATIONS Fracture Frame by E. W. Cleary, The Journal of Boneand Joint Surgery, Vol. XVII, No. 2, Apr. 1935, pp. 494- 496 [451ar.2,l972

Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J. YaskoAttorney-M. N. Cheairs and C. Ray Holbrook [57] ABSTRACT An apparatusfor supporting the hand or foot during convalescence thereof including aframe comprising two substantially parallel rods, a frame supportingmember comprising rods extending in angular relation from said frame forcontact with a supporting surface to thereby maintain said frame inspaced relation from said supporting surface, a holding rod connected toone end of said frame for extension through the forelimb of the patient,a plurality of substantially parallel extending bars connected to saidframe adjacent the end thereof opposite said holding rod and extendingfrom said frame in substantial angular relationship thereto, and asupporting member attached to said frame intermediate the ends thereof,said supporting member having a generally rounded upper surface forfitting into the palm of and supporting a hand or foot.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAR28 r972 BY TROY ROWENSATTORNEY-W BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates toa limb supporting device.' More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a device for supporting limbs, particularly the extremitiesthereof, during convalescence of such limbs.

During periods when badly burned hands are in the process of healing,there is a tendency for the fingers to be drawn into a deformedposition. If the hand heals with the fingers in such deformed position,it becomes difficult to impossible for the patient to ever again fullyextend and have full use of the fingers. Therefore, it is desirable tohave means to prevent the fingers from being drawn toward the deformedposition. However, because of the long period required for the healingof bad burns and like damage to the soft tissues of the hand, it isquite difficult to find means for preventing the contracting ordeforming of the fingers which does not cause other damage to the limbsinvolved. Also, because of the sensitivity of the injured member, it isdifficult to find means of preventing the deforming of the fingers whichdoes not inflict considerable pain on the patient or injure the healingprocesses.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device forpreventing the contraction of the digits of a hand or foot during thehealing period of the soft tissues of such hand or foot.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device formaintaining the digits of badly burned or similarly damaged hands orfeet in extended position during the healing of such hands or feet tothereby prevent permanent contraction of such digits during such healingprocess.

A remaining object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusfor supporting the extremities of arm or leg members during skingrafting on the arm or leg or the forearm or foreleg.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, which fulfills the aboveand other objects, is an apparatus including a frame comprising twosubstantially parallel rods, a frame supporting member comprising rodsextending in angular relation from said frame for contact with asupporting surface. to thereby maintain said frame in spaced relationfrom said supporting surface, a holding rod connected to one end of saidframe for extension through the forelimb of the patient, a plurality ofsubstantially parallel extending bars connected to said frame adjacentthe end thereof opposite said holding rod and extending from said framein substantial angular relationship thereto, and a supporting memberattached to said frame intermediate the ends thereof, said supportingmember having a generally rounded upper surface for fitting into thepalm of and supporting a hand or foot.

By means of the apparatus of the present invention, a hand or foot maybe maintained in fixed position with the digits thereof extended asdesired. This is accomplished in such manner that the supported hand orfoot is well protected from external forces and with a minimum of painand discomfort to the patient.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS bodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention illustrated in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Tofurther describe the present invention, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference charactersare used throughout to denote like features of the apparatus of thepresent invention.

Referring to the drawings, a frame 10 is provided as a basic structurefrom which all other features of the present apparatus extend. Frame 10is comprised of two substantially parallel spaced apart rods 11 and 12.Generally, rods 11 and 12 are spaced apart a distance at leastapproximately equal to the width of the member to be suspended thereinwhich may be either a hand or a foot, generally a hand since the mostuseful application of the apparatus of the present invention is in thetreating of the hands.

At one end, frame rods Ill and 12 extend into converging sections 13 and14 which, while converging toward one another, diverge with respect tothe plane common to both rods 11 and 12. In other words, consideringframe 10 as being substantially horizontal, one of either sections 13 or14 extends downward while the other extends upward while both extendtoward one another insofar as a vertical plane is concerned. Theextension of rod sections 13 and 14 is such that the terminal ends 15and 16, respectively, thereof lie upon an imaginary line which issubstantially perpendicular to the plane in which frame 10 lies. Again,assuming frame 10 to lie in a substantially horizontal plane, terminalends 15 and 16 are in substantially vertical alignment with respect toone another.

Terminal ends 15 and 16 are adapted by means of circular segmentsthereof to receive and hold clamps 17 and 18, respectively. Clamps 17and 18 are each provided with openings therethrough to receiverestraining pin 19 which passes through the openings in clamps 17 and 18in slideable contact with the walls thereof. To hold pin 19 in rigidposition, clamps 17 and 18 are provided with screws 20 which arethreaded through the walls of clamps l7 and 18 to open into adjustablecontact with pin 19 within the opening of the clamps. Screws 20generally have a wing or extended plate head for easy manipulation inadjusting screws 20 into or out of contact with pin 19. In someinstances, it may be necessary to provide two or more pins 19 in whichcase terminal ends 15 and 16 are extended beyond clamps 17 and 18 to asecond or other pair of such clamps which hold the additional pins 19.

In' the embodiment of the apparatus shown in the drawings, frame rods 11and 12 come together in a continuous manner at the end opposite sections13 and 14 in such manner as to form a loop 21. If desired, the apparatusof the present invention may be supported in use by means of attachmentof a line to loop 21 and some stationary object. In addition, by formingloop 21 as a circular joined extension of rod frames 11 and 12, someenergy absorbing flexibility is imparted to frame 10 which permits lessdiscomfort and damage to the patient in the event of an unanticipatedforce striking frame 10.

Connected to frame 10 are two frame supporting members 22 and 23. Bothframe supporting members 22 and 23 comprise two leg segments 24a and 24brespectively which are joined by base segments 25a and 25b,respectively. The ends of leg segments 24a opposite the joinder to basesegment 250 are slideably connected to frame rods 11 and 12 by means ofclamps 26. The leg segments 24a and 24b of frame supporting members 22and 23 respectively extend in angular relationship to frame rods 11 and12, preferably at approximately right angles, to thereby provide asupporting frame for contacting a supporting surface such as a table,platform, bed, etc. to maintain frame 10 in spaced apart relation fromsaid supporting surface. Generally, the two frame supporting members 22and 23 extend in opposite directions from said frame 10 to therebyprovide support for frame 10 regardless of which way it may be turned.In addition to serving as supports for frame 10, frame supportingmembers 22 and 23 provide frames to which strings, wires, bands, etc.,may be attached for aid in maintaining positioning of the patients handor foot, as the case may be, in the desired treating position. By theloosening of clamps 26, frame supporting members 22 and 23 may be movedalong the length of frame to the most advantageous supporting positionat which position clamps 26 are tightened to thereby retain framesupporting members 22 and 23 in such advantageous supporting position.

Extending at an angle, preferably about 90, from adjacent the end offrame 10 opposite terminal ends and 16 are a plurality, generally four,of rods 27. Usually, a base bar 28 extending between frame rods 11 and12 serves as a base from which rods 27 extend. Base bar 28 generally isin slideable but clampable contact with frame rods 11 and 12 through anadjusting clamp 29. By loosening adjusting clamps 29, base bar 28 may bemoved along the length of frame 10 for the most advantageous positioningof rods 27 with respect to their intended use which is more fullydescribed below.

Rods 27 are curved intermediate the ends thereof, preferably, through anapproximately 90 turn, thereby forming an outer segment 30. In thepreferred embodiment in which said curve is approximately 90 outersegment 30 lies in substantially parallel relationship to frame rods 11and 12. Outer segments 30 of rods 27 extend generally toward terminalends 15 and 16 of frame rods 11 and 12, respectively. Also, the distanceof outer segments 30 from frame rods 11 and 12 usually is less than thedistance of the base segments a and 25b, respectively of supportingmembers 22 or 23, as the case may be, from frame rods 11 and 12, therebyproviding for such outer segments to be spaced apart from the supportingsurface by means of such supporting members 22 or 23, as the case maybe.

In slideable but clampable contact with rods 27 are adjustable anchormeans 31, one to each of rods 27. By loosening adjusting screw 32,anchor means 31 may be moved along the length of rod 27 including outersegment 30. Tightening of screw 32, conversly, provides fixed andstationary attachment of anchor means 31 to rods 27. The purpose ofanchor means 31 is to provide a tiedown for strings, wires, bands,strips, and the like attached to the ends of the digits of the outerlimb of the patient. As a result of the adjustable nature of both basebar 28 and anchor means 31, optimum adjustment of the apparatus of thepresent invention to fit the size and shape of the hand or foot of thepatient is readily obtainable.

Disposed within frame 10 intermediate the ends thereof is a supportingmember 33. While supporting member 33 may be connected to frame 10 byany number of means, such means generally have in common the provisionof a slideable and adjustable connection of supporting member 33 toframe 10. Supporting member 33 may be suspended between frame rods 11and 12 of frame 10 by means of a substantially straight bar extendingthrough such supported member and in slideable but clampable contactwith such rods 11 and 12. Alternatively, as shown in the drawings,supporting member 33 is supported by a bar 34 which is joined at theends thereof by extension rods 35 which lie substantially at rightangles thereto, extension rods 35 extending forward into slideable butadjustable contact with base bar 28. In this embodiment, extension rods35 lie substantially parallel to frame rods 11 and 12. The slideable andadjustable contact of extension rods 35 with base bar 28 is throughadjustable clamps 36 which are in fixed attachment to base bar 28 but inslideable but clampable contact with extension rods 35. In someinstances, it may be necessary to provide for rotational mounting ofextension rods 35 to base bar 28 to permit supporting member 33 to belowered significantly below the plane in which frame 10 lies.Particularly, may this be necessary for the foot. Of course, any numberof other means may be provided for lowering the supporting member 33below the plane of frame 10 but such other means are within the spiritand scope of of the present invention.

Supporting member 33 generally is rounded upon its upper surface asshown in the drawings. Usually, this member will be rounded to fit thepalm of the particular hand or foot which will be supported thereby. Aparticularly useful shape for supporting member 33 is substantiallyconical, the direction of the apex depending on the particular hand orfoot to be placed thereupon. The material of construction of thesupporting member may vary considerably. Such materials as plastics,rubber, metals, woods, and the like may be used. However, it has beenfound particularly advantageous to employ an ordinary cylindrical shapedcork such as is often employed as a float in fishing. in using theapparatus of the present invention, the patient's hand or foot is placedwithin the apparatus with the palm thereof in contact with the uppersurface of supporting member 33. Restraining pin 19 is then placedthrough the forearm or foreleg, as the case may be, and fastened withinclamps 17 and 18 to thereby restrain the member within the apparatus ofthe present invention. Pins through the outer tips of the digits of thehand or foot or other means for attachment of the line to such outertips, are provided, and a line, preferably a tension producing elasticmaterial, is connected to such pin or other means and then extended intoattachment to anchor means 31. Thereby, such digits are retained inextended relation to the hand or foot during the healing process. Forcomfort or other reasons, the apparatus of the present invention may beadjusted to the individual through the various means hereinabovedescribed for adjusting the various elements of the apparatus of thepresent invention. The thus suspended hand or foot is supported by thepresent apparatus by placing a base bar 25 into contact with asupporting surface such as a table, platform, or the like, or by meansof attachment of aline to loop 21 which line then is attached to somestationary object to thereby support the present apparatus.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus including a frame comprising two substantially parallelrods spaced by a base bar, a frame supporting member comprising rodsextending in angular relation connected to said frame for contact with asupporting surface to thereby maintain said frame in spaced relationfrom said supporting surface, a holding rod connected to one end of saidframe for extension through the forelimb of the patient, a plurality ofsubstantially parallel extending bars connected to said base bar locatedadjacent the end thereof opposite said holding rod and extending fromsaid base bar in substantial angular relationship thereto, and asupporting member attached to said frame intermediate the ends thereof,said supporting member having a generally rounded upper surface forfitting into the palm of and supporting a hand or foot.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said holding rod is in slideable andclampable connection with said frame and positioned thereby such as tobe substantially perpendicular to the plane of said frame.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said supporting member is conical inshape.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein two of said frame supporting membersare provided, one extending from either side of said frame insubstantial perpendicular relationship thereto.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of substantiallyparallel extending bars consists of four of said bars.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said extending bars are bentintermediate the ends thereof such that an outer segment thereof extendsdirectionally toward said end of said frame having connected theretosaid holding rod.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said extending bars has inslideable and clampable connection therewith an anchor means.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said supporting member is inslideable connection with said frame.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said two substantially parallel rodsof said frame extend into a looped joinder thereof at the ends thereofopposite said holding rod to thereby provide an expandable-contractableloop adjacent said joinder.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said extending bars are inslideable and clampable connection with said frame such as to permitadjustable movement of said extending bars about the length of saidframe.

1. An apparatus including a frame comprising two substantially parallelrods spaced by a base bar, a frame supporting member comprising rodsextending in angular relation connected to said frame for contact with asupporting surface to thereby maintain said frame in spaced relationfrom said supporting surface, a holding rod connected to one end of saidframe for extension through the forelimb of the patient, a plurality ofsubstantially parallel extending bars connected to said base bar locatedadjacent the end thereof opposite said holding rod and extending fromsaid base bar in substantial angular relationship thereto, and asupporting member attached to said frame intermediate the ends thereof,said supporting member having a generally rounded upper sUrface forfitting into the palm of and supporting a hand or foot.
 2. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein said holding rod is in slideable and clampableconnection with said frame and positioned thereby such as to besubstantially perpendicular to the plane of said frame.
 3. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein said supporting member is conical in shape.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein two of said frame supporting members areprovided, one extending from either side of said frame in substantialperpendicular relationship thereto.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid plurality of substantially parallel extending bars consists of fourof said bars.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said extending barsare bent intermediate the ends thereof such that an outer segmentthereof extends directionally toward said end of said frame havingconnected thereto said holding rod.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 whereineach of said extending bars has in slideable and clampable connectiontherewith an anchor means.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidsupporting member is in slideable connection with said frame.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said two substantially parallel rods ofsaid frame extend into a looped joinder thereof at the ends thereofopposite said holding rod to thereby provide an expandable-contractableloop adjacent said joinder.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidextending bars are in slideable and clampable connection with said framesuch as to permit adjustable movement of said extending bars about thelength of said frame.